Director Yu’s act of showing consideration for an ordinary employee was conspicuous in itself, let alone with someone like Xiang Xiaoyun already keenly noticing the anomaly.
Rumors stop at the wise, but clearly, the HR department had no such people. Those on the verge of being driven mad by work always harbored a mentality of hoping for chaos, just to escape reality.
Gossip always spread quickly, of course getting embellished and distorted along the way—who knew what absurd version it would evolve into by the end.
But no matter the rumor, when it landed on an individual, it became very troublesome.
It would even have a greater impact on Yu Wan.
Fang Nianchen had the impulse to grab the bag and go find Yu Wan, telling her not to ask others to bring her lunch next time.
But she talked herself out of it before her butt even left the seat.
It was she who had first brought lunch for Yu Wan of her own accord; at most, this was just Yu Wan repaying the favor.
How could she expect there to be a next time?
Moreover, she hadn’t proactively sought out Yu Wan for several days now. To ruin someone else’s good intentions right upon meeting—that kind of obnoxious thing, she couldn’t bring herself to do, and she didn’t want Yu Wan to dislike her either.
“Thanks.” Fang Nianchen reluctantly squeezed out a smile and accepted the belated lunch, thinking that dinner was taken care of now too.
“Or you should thank Bodhisattva Yu in person.” Qiao Yan pressed her sore shoulder, casually asking, “Who’d you eat lunch with?”
“A friend.” Fang Nianchen had never mentioned Yin Chi to anyone else, burying her experience of studying in the UK along with it.
Miss Yin probably wouldn’t want to share the joy with the masses anyway; a mutually distant relationship was most appropriate.
“Oh~ That person you mentioned last time, who likes you…” Qiao Yan paused her shoulder rub and grinned at her. “Likes your friend.”
With that cheeky look, it was clear she’d noticed long ago.
Fang Nianchen ignored her wicked teasing and explained flatly, “No, ordinary friends.”
Though Yin Chi had indeed confessed to her and even said such straightforward words as “still like,” the person Qiao Yan was referring to obviously wasn’t her.
Qiao Yan tsked, bored. “Last time when you brought lunch for someone, I already thought it was weird. Does the person you like work at Yunqi too?”
Fang Nianchen couldn’t fathom how she and Tao Zhixing’s brains were wired. Over the years, they’d evolved even more bizarrely—remembering such trivial details crystal clear and even connecting the dots.
She brushed it off as usual. “Don’t guess wildly.”
Qiao Yan stretched out, yawning hugely. “You’re not still hung up on that senior, are you?”
Hearing no rebuttal from Fang Nianchen, she wiped the tears from her eyes and continued, “You just have too much of a first-love complex. Date a few more people, and you’ll realize it’s no big deal.”
“Which slag girl gives a damn about exes?”
The wording had changed, but the meaning was the same.
It seemed everyone was convinced her feelings for Yu Wan were mere obsession—a dark, selfish impulse driving her to get close again.
With basin after basin of dirty water splashed on her, Fang Nianchen grew impatient and simply flopped onto the desk to hide. “Tired. Gonna sleep.”
“Huh? Sleeping now? Not scared of Zuo Anfeng catching you?”
Fang Nianchen buried her face in the crook of her arm and played turtle in silence.
“Suit yourself.” Qiao Yan shrugged helplessly and wheeled her chair back to her workstation.
Slandered by both her and Yin Chi, Fang Nianchen had zero sleepiness left. She didn’t have the habit of napping anyway, and with Zuo Anfeng liable to show up anytime, she lifted her head right after Qiao Yan left.
She scratched her tousled hair at the dark computer screen, suddenly remembered something, grabbed her badge, and headed downstairs.
Almost missed the important matter.
Last Saturday, someone from the planning team had called her about considering a department transfer, giving her a week to think. But they were desperately short-staffed and couldn’t wait even a day, directly scheduling a face-to-face.
Right next to the Yunqi building was a chain café. Fang Nianchen pushed the door open and spotted the person who’d summoned her.
The woman sat by the window, her golden hair gleaming under the sunlight, making her skin look even fairer. She wore a khaki plaid shirt with the top collar slightly open—very sexy.
Seeing her approach, the woman set down her coffee cup, stood, and extended a hand. “I’m Su Xiazhi. We spoke on the phone that day.”
Fang Nianchen wasn’t used to such formal greetings; she gave a light, perfunctory shake and let go.
Su Xiazhi invited her to sit and got straight to the poaching. “I know what you’re hesitating over, so let me be direct. The planning department is a money-making hellhole with no time to spend it—no vacations all year, definitely busier than HR, but the pay is way better.”
She didn’t shy away from listing the department’s downsides, sliding over a salary and benefits sheet while pressing it down with her hand.
“Black-and-white proof might be more convincing for you. Take a look.”
Fang Nianchen took it and flipped through a couple pages. Same-level employees were visibly earning a big chunk more than her current pay. But she still couldn’t believe her casual application merited such importance.
“Why me specifically? My major has zero to do with planning, and HR’s currently sorting recruitment docs—we should get assignments soon.” Fang Nianchen mentioned her recent tasks. “No need to rush like this.”
There were people with equal or better credentials and fitting majors; she didn’t see herself as the top pick.
“You’re way too lacking in confidence.” Su Xiazhi took a sip of coffee and advised her earnestly. “Good planning isn’t something you learn in school. And… how many languages do you speak?”
Caught off guard by the sudden question, Fang Nianchen paused before testing the waters. “Four? Not counting Chinese.”
“Prestigious schools all the way, plus all those skills—which HR wouldn’t get excited over a resume like yours?” Su Xiazhi sighed admiringly, then fixed her with an earnest gaze. “If that’s not enough reason, I just think you have great chemistry. I really need someone like you.”
The words were blunt but made perfect sense.
It was the first time she’d heard something like this from someone else—not empty flattery, but genuinely being needed.
At just over twenty-two, her little vein of vanity was easily swayed.
Honestly, Fang Nianchen felt faintly moved.
She shifted her gaze out the window, as if to calm her fluttering heart. But with one glance, she spotted an unexpected person.
Picking out Yu Wan’s figure in the crowd was no longer anything special. Her car was always parked in the usual spot—familiar and conspicuous.
She stood by the car, glancing at her phone now and then, seemingly waiting for someone.
Probably heading out on business, Fang Nianchen guessed.
Director Yu’s daily routine was spent in frantic work; her level of dedication even made Fang Nianchen feel guilty during her own slacking sessions.
She stared unwaveringly, forgetting the person sitting across from her.
Until Su Xiazhi couldn’t sit still any longer and snapped her fingers twice in front of her face. Only then did she straighten up. “Sorry.”
“No worries.” Su Xiazhi keenly picked up on her wavering resolve and fanned the flames. “Is there some reason you absolutely have to stay in HR?”
Faced with that question, Fang Nianchen had a ready answer: None.
Nothing was particularly special, and no one was particularly special.
Even coworkers were like fellow passengers on a train journey—strangers after a single encounter.
Except for one person.
Inappropriately, she thought of Yu Wan again.
She glanced at Su Xiazhi; there was a strong sense of trustworthiness in her eyes that felt oddly familiar.
Sensing her sincerity twice over, Fang Nianchen hesitated no longer. “I can join.”
Hearing her finally agree, Su Xiazhi relaxed into a smile. “You’ll be in my group—I’ll mentor you all the way. I brought the transfer application too. Take it, get your department head to sign, and you’re good.”
Su Xiazhi handed her another stack of documents, already signed by the planning director, with the adjacent slot blank.
“Want anything else to eat?” Su Xiazhi was in high spirits, beaming at her.
“No need to trouble yourself. Thanks.” Fang Nianchen politely declined as usual, not touching the coffee in front of her.
Impulsively, she twisted her head toward the window again. Yu Wan’s car hadn’t budged from its spot, and she was still standing beside it, apparently running into some trouble.
Her heart tugged her away; the department transfer was completely forgotten. She stood. “I’ll head out first.”
“Not having the coffee?”
“Nah.” Fang Nianchen spoke without looking at Su Xiazhi, only curving her lips slightly on the way out. “See you later.”
Watching her hurried back, Su Xiazhi muttered, “What’s up with kids these days? So polite…
Out the coffee shop door, Fang Nianchen hurried forward two steps, then abruptly stopped.
No, no, can’t be so eager—it’d look like she was deliberately going to find her.
Stay calm… steady.
She took two deep breaths, slowed her pace, casually passing by Yu Wan’s side without so much as a glance sideways, brushing shoulders with her.
Yu Wan was just looking down to reply to a message, naturally oblivious to the person slipping past.
After a few steps with no one calling out to her, Fang Nianchen frowned slightly, stopped, and turned back to walk again.
Back and forth twice, Yu Wan finally couldn’t hold back her laughter. “Lose something?”
This quirky way of making an entrance was a first—nonchalant, yet clearly trying to get her attention. It was kinda funny.
Not long ago, someone had tossed out “You’re the most important person to me” and just walked off, without a care for the impact those words might have on the listener.
Realizing Fang Nianchen was avoiding her, Yu Wan hadn’t spoken to her for a long time unless she took the initiative first. Otherwise, she wouldn’t even know how to broach the topic.
She had no countermeasures for Fang Nianchen’s sudden coldness.
Push forward, and she might scare her into hiding in her shell forever; pull back, and she might never realize the affection.
Back when they ran into each other during those years at Qingyuan, Yu Wan had been a total mess, not daring to covet the brilliant light of the sun. But this hard-won second chance at reunion? No way was she letting it slip by.
Being proactive a few more times wasn’t a loss in her book. She didn’t mind.
“Need a hand?” Yu Wan pocketed her phone and looked at her.
“Nope, just passing by.” Fang Nianchen’s lying skills were improving by the day. “You waiting for someone?”
Passing by once? Sure. But over and over? That was pushing it.
It wasn’t like she was just strolling the street.
“Yeah, heading out on business.” Yu Wan saw through it but didn’t call her out. As she spoke, her left hand hovered protectively near her waist, her lips somewhat pale, lacking her usual dominance and looking rather frail.
Fang Nianchen’s sharp eyes caught it, but she couldn’t outright ask about her condition, so she rephrased. “Gonna drive?”
“Yeah. It’s my period, waist hurts a bit—not convenient to drive. Was hoping someone could take me.” Luckily, Yu Wan was straightforward about it, flashing a wry smile. “But everyone’s busy.”
Seeing there was actually something she could help with, Fang Nianchen jumped at the chance. “I’ve got nothing going on. Need help?”
Yu Wan gazed at her steadily and asked softly, “You have a license?”
Maybe it was the “senior” title holding her back—without dwelling on Fang Nianchen’s glimpses of maturity, she couldn’t help but see her as still so young.
“Of course.” Fang Nianchen felt a little underestimated.
She’d signed up for driving school the very day she turned eighteen, even though she was already a junior in college by then.
She’d even gotten her UK license before returning to the country—plenty of driving experience under her belt.
Just then, Yu Wan’s phone rang in her pocket. She silenced it and said warmly, “Then let’s go.”
With that, she opened the passenger door and got in.
Once in the car, Fang Nianchen adjusted the seat. As she grabbed the seatbelt to buckle it, her hand accidentally brushed the back of Yu Wan’s.
The cool touch froze her in place. She didn’t dare move, her breathing even halting.
Yu Wan glanced at her wordlessly and pressed her suspended hand down for her.
Click. Two sounds later, Yu Wan said nothing. Fang Nianchen, stiff-necked, awkwardly withdrew her hand.
Pretending nothing had happened, she swallowed and—voice trembling slightly—asked, “You cold?”
In the heat of midsummer, the question was absurd. But with her period, it was a different story.
“A little.”
“Here, cover up with my jacket.” Fang Nianchen unbuckled again, shrugged off her outer layer, and handed it over, eyes fixed straight ahead. She muttered, “If you don’t mind.”
Yu Wan didn’t mind at all. Supporting it from below, she took the jacket and gently draped it over herself. “Thanks.”
The jacket still held Fang Nianchen’s body heat, mingled with an unfamiliar fragrance—warm and toasty.
Wrapped in that warmth, the cramps in Yu Wan’s waist and abdomen eased considerably. It wasn’t just her body; her heart felt more at ease too.
The car drove smoothly along. Afraid any big movement might distract her driving, she only dared to sneak sidelong glances.
Crisp white shirt, sleeves rolled up to reveal slender arms with perfectly toned muscles. Her slightly short hair was half-tied back, a few stray strands framing her ears.
The AC breeze made the strands dance; Fang Nianchen lifted a hand to tuck them behind her ear. With it being an automatic, her arm naturally came to rest on the center console.
Her single-handed grip on the wheel was practiced and smooth, her full attention on the road ahead. That rare seriousness of hers was almost… cute, in its over-the-top focus.
The brilliant sunlight slanted across her face, making her already light-colored eyes gleam even brighter against the bridge of her high nose. At first glance, she seemed aloof; but keep looking, and it turned tender.
It was the first time seeing her like this—eyes glued, impossible to look away. But stare longer, and she feared she’d give in to the urge to do something untoward to that exquisite face.
Yu Wan fluttered her eyes shut slightly, leaning her head back against the seat.
A faint curve tugged at her lips, her heart inexplicably sweetened.
Little Rascal knew how to play it cool.
—
Downstairs at the company, Secretary Cao came running out drenched in sweat. She stared dumbly at the now-empty parking spot and scratched her head.
Where’d she go?!
